Russian Travel Restrictions

[Yurij.Lotoshko]

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1998 11:00:54 -0400
> From: "James M. Pasquill, II" <pasquill at csc.albany.edu>
> To: SECUSS-L at LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU
> Subject: Disc: Russian Travel Restrictions
>
>         I recently learned of some ridiculous travel regulations
> introduced by the Russian government that restricts the freedom of
> movement of our students to leave and reenter the country.  One of our
> students asked for permission to leave Moscow to attend a conference at
> which she was asked to present a lecture.  Moscow University denied her
> the exit visa stating that the Russian immigration authorities have
> adopted rules that state that "all foreign students studying in Russia
can
> receive exit-reentry visa only during official vacations (January 1-31 in
> winter and June 1 to August 31 in summer) except in the cases of a real
> emergency confirmed by a letter, a medical certificate or a fax.  Even in
> the case of an emergency 3 working days are required for the exit
-reentry
> visa to be issued."
>
>         1 step forward two steps back...!!  The rules are annoying
enough.
> It is also annoying to learn of these rules only after a problem
surfaces.
> I have asked Moscow University to inform me of all such new regulations
> and will share with you what I learn.  Have other campuses with students
> in Russia learned of any other such restrictions and bureaucratic hoops
> that you would care to share?
>
>         I would urge all organizations which send students to Russia to
> write letters to the Russian Consulate asking that Russia stop this
> practice. The representatives of the Russian government in the US and the
> rest of the world must be made aware that these arcane rules are a
> detriment to the development and growth of academic programs in Russia
and
> are not in the financial interest of Russia.  Perhaps it is naive to
think
> it will have an impact but nonetheless Russian politicians abroad should
> be made uncomfortable and embarrassed by hearing our opinions of their
> still xenophobic laws.
>
>         I also urge you all to write to the US State Department or the
> equivalent in your country and request that they protest such practices.
>
> James M. Pasquill, II
> Assistant Director of International Programs
> University at Albany

Na to i suchestvujut pravila, chtoby ix narushat'
Inache neinteresno zhit'.

Nekotoryje inostrannyje studentami u nas pochemu-to stanovjats'a nelegalami
Osobenno iz nekotoryx stran....